Some of the biggest names in European football stepped up against, ahem, modest opposition as the countdown to Euro 2020 continues.
Ronaldo wants to break the all-time international goalscoring record before he retires and he needs to keep returning like this before he retires. None of these goals will live long in the memory but it won't matter to CR7 - four goals in a game represents the perfect night's work for him.
| UEQ | Sep 9, 2019 | W | |
The worst team in Europe, but you've still got to beat them and Kousoulos completed 103 of his 108 passes while contributing two well-taken goals as Cyprus cruised to an easy victory.
| UEQ | Sep 8, 2019 | W | |
Zakaria is picking up some traction in Germany for his energetic displays with Borussia Monchengladbach and he took those to the national stage by utterly dominating proceedings against Gibraltar. Too good for this level, that's for sure, returning 61/64 completed passes and winning every duel he was involved in. Netted a goal, too.
Since returning from injury at Man City towards the end of last season, De Bruyne is elevating the playmaker role to an entirely new level. Here, against a Scotland team who watched him glide past them like an extraterrestrial, he provided three assists before curling home a supreme fourth. The best player in the world at the moment?
Or is it Sterling? Lionel Messi's current injury has induced conversations over who will take on the mantle once his playing career comes to an end and, like City team-mate De Bruyne, is producing performances of the highest level at the moment. Here, after Kosovo provided an early scare, his dribbling ability and, crucially, his composure, completely dismantled the opposition with three assists and a goal.
